Witness for Peace,
a politically independent grassroots organization, is coordinating a delegation
to Columbia in 2002 to address environmental and labor concerns. A main
focus will be the aerial spraying of herbicides over the Amazon. The spraying
is part of a program sponsored by the U.S. as part of the "war on
drugs". This U.S. aid is doing great damage to the rainforests of
the Amazon. Currently another $1 billion is being proposed for the program.
For more information visit the Witness for Peace website at: http://www.witnessforpeace.org/.
This aid will have far reaching effects in combination with the other
dangers Colombia's citizens' face. This includes the conflict between
the national army, leftist guerrilla movements and right-wing paramilitary
forces. Colombian labor leaders are in continuous grave danger of assassination
as well. Witness for Peace's Environmental & Labor Delegation to Colombia
is a response to these impacts of the U.S. Drug War Policy. Experts and
activists will join together to discuss their view of the U.S. policy
in Colombia.
Attending the delegation will give you access to:
-Learn about the economic roots of Colombia's conflict
-Hear testimonies of displaced people and others directly affected by
the conflict
-Travel to areas outside of Bogota to witness the impact of U.S. military
assistance.
-See first-hand the impact of aerial spraying
-Talk with union organizers about the violence they face
For an application and more information, contact:
Gail Phares
Witness for Peace - Southeast
Tel: 919/856-9468
Email: Rphares105@aol.com
Beyond Pesticides' Daily News recently reported on Senator Paul Wellstone's
(D-MN) trip to Colombia where he witnessed a pesticide application on
coca. The senator is an outspoken critic of the U.S. policy of providing
military aid to Colombia as part of the "war on drugs." On the
very first flyover by the cropduster, the U.S. Senator, the U.S. Ambassador
to Colombia, the Lieutenant Colonel of the Colombian National Police,
and other Embassy and congressional staffers were fully doused with the
sticky, possibly dangerous herbicide Roundup® (glyphosate). Click
here to read the full article. For more information about the health risks
associated with exposure to glyphosate click here.